Whats Computer?

A computer is an electronic, programmable machine that is able to take information, do some

work on or make changes to the information, to make new information. It responds to a specific
set of instructions in a well-defined manner and it can execute a prerecorded list of instructions.
What is Computer System?
The complete computer made up of the CPU, memory and related electronics, all the peripheral
devices connected to it and its operating system.
Elements of Computer System?
Hardware
Software
User
Data
Hardware is basically anything that you can touch with your fingers.
Examples are:
Computer Case, CPU (central processing unit...Pentium chip), Monitor
Keyboard & Mouse
Disk Drive, Zip Drive, CD-ROM, DVD, Hard Drive, Memory (RAM), Speakers,
Printer
Components of Hardware (Computer itself)
Input devices
is responsible for controlling the various input devices that are used to enter data into the
computer. The commonly used input devices are mouse, keyboard, light pen, optical
scanner etc.
Output devices
It controls various output devices like printer, graphic plotter, speech synthesizer, monitor
(also known as Visual Display Unit or VDU) to produce the desired output and present it
to the user. It ensures the convertibility of output into human readable form that is
understandable by the user.
Processor
the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing. It
can also be called CPU or Microprocessor.

Storage
There are two types of Storage, primary storage typically refers to random
access memory (RAM), while secondary storage refers to the computer's
internal hard drive. RAM, commonly called "memory," is considered primary
storage, since it stores data that is directly accessible by the computer's
CPU
 Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, is a technology consisting
of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data. Examples are Hard
Drive, Flash Drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Tape-Drive, Memory Cards.

What are the parts and basic functions of Computer?

Mouse and Keyboard (Input)
Monitor (Output)
Process and Store (System Unit)
What is System Unit?
The system unit, sometimes called the chassis, is a box-like case housing the electronic
components of a computer that are used to process data.
Parts of System Unit:
Motherboard
RAM
ROM
Powersupply
Video Card

Software is the programs and applications that tell the computer what to do.
Computer programmers write the codes/instructions that make-up software
applications/programs.
Types of Software
System Software
A type of computer program that is designed to run a computer's hardware and
application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model,
the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications.
Example: OS
Application Software
Programs designed by the user to perform a specific function, such as accounting
software, payroll software etc.

HTML is a type of computer programming language that allows programmers to

make web pages.
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is the programming language of Excel and other
Office programs.
Data
The facts and figures that are fed into a computer for further processing are called data.

User

The most important element of a computer system is its users. They are also called live-

ware of the computer system.

The following types of people interact with a computer system:

(a) System Analysts:

People who design the operation and processing of the system.

(b) System Programmers:

People who write codes and programs to implement the working of the system

(c) System Operators:

People who operate the system and use it for different purposes. Also called the end

users.